Concert Companion
Concert Companion
Podcast Description
Sarasota Orchestra's Concert Companion connects classical music fans with seven Orchestra musicians who share personal previews of the programs in this season’s Masterworks series. By giving listeners a little something extra to take along to the performance, the Concert Companion aims to deepen patrons’ appreciation of the works they’ll enjoy live in the concert hall. You're invited to join each enriching adventure with an Orchestra musician as your friendly guide. Episodes are released one month prior to each Masterworks program.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores a variety of themes including musician anecdotes, performance preparation, and concert previews, with episodes focusing on specific concerts like Heroic Spirit featuring Beethoven and Shostakovich, Ravel's Bolero with active listening tips, and discussions of human perseverance in Beethoven's Seventh linked to historical narratives.
Sarasota Orchestra’s Concert Companion connects classical music fans with Orchestra musicians who share personal previews of concert programs coming up this season. By giving listeners a little something extra to take along to the performance, the Concert Companion aims to deepen patrons’ appreciation of the works they’ll enjoy live in the concert hall. You’re invited to join each enriching adventure with an Orchestra musician as your friendly guide.
Episode Overview:
Music has the incredible power to speak without saying a word—just ask Joseph Haydn! This episode of the Concert Companion turns over a new leaf as host Sara Stovall dives into Sarasota Orchestra’s Discoveries series, a format that’s a little like bringing the Concert Companion live to the stage. Joining her is Sarasota Orchestra Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero, who shares how he got into the art of classical musical storytelling and developed his signature impassioned, riveting style.
As the Orchestra prepares for its final bow of the 2025-2026 season, Giancarlo and Sara explore the nature of the “unfinished business” with each piece on the program. You’ll hear why Schubert may have simply forgotten he started his famous Eighth Symphony and how a period of downtime during the COVID-19 pandemic led Giancarlo to discover the unsung brilliance of African American composer Julia Perry. The conversation culminates with a look at Haydn’s “Farewell” Symphony—a 250-year-old symphonic protest. While Haydn scripted the musicians’ walk-off, he left the conductor’s departure wide open. Giancarlo teases his own secret plan for his final exit of the season, promising an “Oscar-winning moment” you have to see for yourself!
About the Concert:
Sarasota Orchestra performs Discoveries: Unfinished Businesson May 16 at the Sarasota Opera House. The program features Schubert’s mysterious Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished), Julia Perry’s groundbreaking Short Piece for Orchestra, and Haydn’s theatrical Symphony No. 45 (Farewell). Experience the 2025-2026 season finale with Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero leading this 75-minute journey of musical discovery. Tickets are available at SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Music in This Episode:
Symphony No 8. (Unfinished) by Franz Schubert
Leif Bjaland, conductor
Sarasota Orchestra
Recorded live at the Sarasota Opera House, October 30, 2004
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